V-C cracks the whip

THE GOVERNMENT Ashtang Ayurveda College, managed by Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) and part of the University Teaching Department (UTD), is passing through a bad phase and has recently been in news for all the wrong reasons.

THE GOVERNMENT Ashtang Ayurveda College, managed by Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) and part of the University Teaching Department (UTD), is passing through a bad phase and has recently been in news for all the wrong reasons.

First, the college was unsparingly checked by a vigilant raiding squad constituted on the orders of vice chancellor Dr Rajkamal to put a cab on incidents of cheating. The high profile squad detected a number of cheating cases, and not only recommended action against students but also against erring invigilators.

Later, a special examiner was sent to check the exam proceedings and he found an invigilator sleeping on the job. The V-C has now made up his mind to take action against those at fault and accountable for poor performance of students.

The action against the college in quick succession has surprised even university officials and started a rumour that the college had attracted an evil eye and had run out of favour with the powers-that-be. Till recently only the privately managed Acharya Gyan Ayurveda College was on the receiving end. Successive V-Cs had a spat with Acharya Gyan management and recognition was not awarded despite a protracted battle fought by the college.

The matter had come to such a head that students from this college have been awaiting result for upward of a year. With the university adamant on not conducting examination for current students the matter has gone to court and it is now being mulled to adjust these students in other Ayurveda colleges, notably, Ashtang College.

The Acharya Gyan College had also drawn the ire of university babudom after an alleged attack on an official of the rank of Deputy Registrar and that too in his office on the university campus. It was, therefore, expected that action would be taken against this college. However, action against the other college has left everybody guessing.

At loggerheads…
The DAVV staff has not adjusted well with V-C Dr Rajkamal and his ways and remains at loggerheads with him for one reason or the other. All efforts by Dr Rajkamal to resolve employees’ problems, reduce dissatisfaction and increase efficiency levels have so far come to naught.

Rather, these measures have increased the problems of Dr Rajkamal who first felt the wind of employee angst blowing on his face when he tried to pull up employees for their tardiness. In his efforts to justify his move, the V-C decided to take action against an employee who suddenly fainted on the very mention of ‘action’ and the ensuing drama blemished the reputation of the university. Not only this, the V-C’s efforts to make the university hi-tech by reducing paper work by improvising for computer literacy amongst employees has also not found favour with them.

Awaiting assent
The university is abuzz these days with the schedule for felicitation of renowned personalities from Information Technology (IT) and other industries with honorary doctorate on January 28.

Dr Rajkamal has accorded top priority to this project. On the very first day of the New Year he directed officials to get busy in fulfilling his dream. University officials are also enthusiastic about the fact that the likes of Narayan Murthy of Infosys, Dr S Ramadurai of TCS, Shiv Nadar of HCL, B Ramlinga Raju of Satyam computers, Dr Karsan Bhai Patel of Nirma Dr Rahul Bajaj of Bajaj Auto and Dr Verghese Kurien formerly from Amul would be honoured.

DAVV has begun contacting the personalities and is hopeful of receiving their consent to attend the function. However, it was not as lucky in getting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or Finance Minister P Chidambaram as chief guest and will now have to be content with Governor Balram Jakhar.

The university and administration have tightened their belts for making foolproof arrangement welcoming the dignitaries. The venue of the function - the new University auditorium at Khandwa Road - is being revamped and fitted with a lift and other paraphernalia.adityasinghparmar@hindustantimes.com